ROTTEN TOMATOES: Gears of War, Escape from New York No Longer Director-less?

Gears of War, Escape from New York No Longer Director-less?

So many explosions, so little time.

by Jeff Giles | August 03, 2007

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Action fans who have been waiting for more news regarding two of New Line's major upcoming projects -- specifically, the Gears of War adaptation and the Escape from New York remake -- get a double shot of rumor juice with this item. According to IESB, the studio is close to announcing who will be behind the lens for both films, and a "reliable insider" has shared the scoop.

Ready to find out? Okay, here goes: Gears of War, the adaptation of the popular X360 game, will be helmed by Underworld and Underworld: Evolution director Len Wiseman. Meanwhile, duties for the Escape from New York remake, starring Gerard Butler as Snake Plikssen, will be handled by...Live Free or Die Hard director Len Wiseman.

No, that was not a typo. Do not adjust your sets at home. If IESB's anonymous source is to be trusted, Wiseman will end up behind the camera for both projects.

Thus far, reaction to both projects has been rather lukewarm; videogame adaptations are always iffy propositions at best, and there are plenty of people who don't see the need for an Escape remake. The announcement of Wiseman's involvement, if it actually comes to pass, could have a polarizing effect -- Live Free or Die Hard has earned unexpectedly positive reviews, but the Underworld films haven't fared as well, and although the director's obvious love for Michael Bay-style action would be arguably well-suited for both films, it's bound to concern fans who want more than pithy dialogue and shots of stuff blowing up.

For now, this is just a rumor, but if the article's on target, it's a rumor that should be proven or debunked relatively quickly.

Source: IESB.net

Related Items

Movie:	Escape from New York
	Underworld
	Underworld: Evolution
	Die Hard 4: Live Free or Die Hard
Celeb:	Michael Bay
	Gerard Butler
	Len Wiseman

(1-20 of 28 posts) | Reply

bobtom writes:
on Aug 03 2007 07:06 AM

hmmmm ...?..

(Reply to this)

opTIMus Nerd writes:
on Aug 03 2007 07:10 AM

I just don't understand a remake for 'Escape From New York?! If they must re-visit this why not another sequel or prequel or something.

(Reply to this)

Baccus83 writes:
on Aug 03 2007 07:14 AM

Didn't we already have "Escape from L.A.? And didn't that suck?

(Reply to this)

JpPrewitt789 writes:
on Aug 03 2007 07:25 AM

I'd rather them just work on Gears on not do New York.

(Reply to this)

dylan21484nj writes:
on Aug 03 2007 07:26 AM

the Underworld movies stunk, but Live Free was pretty good despite it being PG-13. if he does the Escape remake, it absolutely must be R. anything less would be an atrocity.

(Reply to this)

blank blank writes:
on Aug 03 2007 07:55 AM

am i the only one who thinks wiseman is a complete hack?

(Reply to this)

Mr. Kong writes:
on Aug 03 2007 08:04 AM

In reply to this comment (#1006152)
I had no opinion until I saw LFODH that I thought was great. But you're NOT alone...

(Reply to this)

jasperoosterveld writes:
on Aug 03 2007 08:15 AM

At least its not brett ratner....

(Reply to this)

aconline writes:
on Aug 03 2007 08:16 AM

Why not do an Escape from Cleveland? There has been constant mystery surrounding the Cleveland incident. And wasn't Escape from LA already a re-make of New York?

(Reply to this)

jacog writes:
on Aug 03 2007 08:35 AM

Nope, that was a sequel. A painfully cheesy sequel. THere's nothing wrong with EFNY in my opinion, except perhaps that their "future" was 1998 or somesuch date. Perhaps they ought to just leave it be.

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bluestar50 writes:
on Aug 03 2007 08:47 AM

EFNY ie one of my all time favorite movies. I just don't think that a remake is necessary. LFODH was better than I expected.

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Jasonsnak writes:
on Aug 03 2007 09:20 AM

I think Len Wiseman has great style and use of production to be very fitting for both movies Gears of War and Escape. He can really make John Maclanes character come back to life he can do the same with Snakes. Personally i think its hogwash to belive Escape dosnt need a remake. As good as a movie it is its so hard to watch because of the horrible movie score, and the painfull special effects. And let us not forget how stupid seeing Issac Hayes as the bad guy. I feel, that... yes they need to do an Escape from Cleveland, to put that back story to rest. All the people snake meets always seems to have something to do with that storyline. (Trilogy?) Another major thing they need to make the films seem like there not putting it in a actual time setting so the movie itself dosnt age along with time like, that being the clothes, score, weapons, hairdo. Butler is perfect for the role aswell.

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nogard46 writes:
on Aug 03 2007 09:32 AM

WTF!!! is it like a mandatory postion that needs to filled? the "Action Director to be picked on for no reason postition" Since Micheal Bay Vacated that postion by defying all you nea sayers with TF BO sucess! Now its Wiseman?
So FYI!

1) He doesn't suck, when his movies are BO hits all of you will be kissing is *** too!
2) Underworld, both of them don't suck!
3) So go find someone else to pick on for no good reason!

(Reply to this)

PrecentorEpsilonXVI writes:
on Aug 03 2007 09:33 AM

In reply to this comment (#1006049)
Why make a sequel with the same story but a different title, when you can just remake the original?

I'm looking forward to Gears of War - when it comes to games like this, pithy dialogue and big explosions are pretty much the way to go to make a good adaptation.

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Agro writes:
on Aug 03 2007 09:52 AM

I was hoping the headline would be "Gears of War, Escape from New York No Longer in Production."

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Vitamin M writes:
on Aug 03 2007 10:10 AM

I really enjoyed the first underworld and really disliked the second. I will be seeing Die Hard this weekend. Anyway I love Gears and the movie possibility is there and could suit Lenny's skills, hope it gets made and made dark nasty and bad ***. The escape remake isn't necessary...but since studio's don't understand the meaning of the word "necessary" I will just say that at the very least they should put a few more years of distance between the original and remake.

(Reply to this)

hammer_leafsfan writes:
on Aug 03 2007 11:21 AM

In reply to this comment (#1006558)
i agree with most of what you say, but Michael Bay has definately not vacated that position. Transformers was alright, but his propensity towards inchorrent action and special effects kind of ruined what could of been a great movie. Rediculously cheesy dialogue, needless supporting (human) characters, but the action was entertaining. I just wish he wouldn't toss out the concept of a good story in favour of blowing things up. But his last two movies ( The Island, Transformers ) were entertaining weren't as awfull as Bad Boys II and Pearl Harbour.

As for Wiseman, LFODH was quite good (save the F-35 scene...a bit over the top, even for a Die Hard movie) but the Underworld movies were pretty blah. But, I think he'd be a good choice for Gears, Escape doesn't need a remake.

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kfarschman writes:
on Aug 03 2007 11:49 AM

Nogard. If a movie is a box office success or not has about 0% effect on how I feel about a movie or especially the director. I guess your some director golddigger or something? A stockholder? Maybe they should just hand out all the film awards to the top grossing movies? Best Picture = Rush Hour 3 with Best Actor award for Chris Tucker. Yes!

I enjoyed Transformers enough in spite of how stupid it was, but It could make 7 billion dollars and I won't say it's a great movie or that Bay is excellent director.

I think the only people who truly like Underworld are the same people that like Evanescence. Pop goth. Yuck. I just puked a little in my mouth.

(Reply to this)

kfarschman writes:
on Aug 03 2007 12:01 PM

In reply to this comment (#1007274)
Hammer, agree about the F-35. The whole thing was so obviously forced. Then nothing made any sense with the pilots actions too.

Hi, I'm an airforce pilot. What's that? Take out that truck. Okay, I'll shoot these rockets at it even though I have no chance of hitting the truck that I have barely any visibility of and will probably just--ooops, yep I took out that huge bridge. You think they'll consider that acceptable collateral damage? No, oh well. Oh, I know I'll fly under it while it's collapsing with this insanely expensive plane! Now I'll just position myself --yep sweet, a huge piece of concrete just went into my harrier fan thing, time to eject. Damn I couldn't even take out that truck and destroyed a bridge and totally destroyed that plane. So I'm kicked out of the air-force you say, darn.

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Defmonkey writes:
on Aug 03 2007 12:18 PM

One thing for sure, I would riot is Gears got PG-13.

Not so much for the EfNY remake. They should do a sequel or a prequel. And is the real snake gonna be in it? No = Fail.

(Reply to this)